Assessing the impact of intellectual property on the economic performance of European companies

In today's context of accelerated digitalization and global competition, intellectual property is a
key factor in ensuring sustainable economic growth for companies. This article assesses the impact of
intellectual property ownership on the economic performance of European companies.
Main Problem: the impact of intellectual property use on the economic performance of
European companies in the context of global competition and accelerated digitalization. Attention is
paid to both large corporations and small and medium-sized enterprises, which form the backbone of
the European economy.
Objective: To identify the degree to which companies' financial and operational performance
depends on their registered intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, and industrial
designs.
Methods: Based on an analysis of statistical data from the European Patent Office and the
European Union Intellectual Property Office. The sample included over 119,000 companies from
27 EU countries. Methods of comparative analysis, correlation analysis, and assessment of differences
between groups of companies with different levels of engagement in the intellectual property
protection system were used.
Results and Their Significance: Show that companies with intellectual property rights
demonstrate higher levels of economic performance. Revenue per employee in such organizations
exceeds that of firms without intellectual property by 41 percent. For small and medium-sized
enterprises, this increase reaches 44 percent, and for large companies, 16 percent. Companies with a
comprehensive intellectual property portfolio also demonstrate higher employment, productivity, and
competitiveness. The study's findings confirm the strategic importance of intellectual property for
shaping Europe's innovative economy. Particular attention is paid to the need to actively engage small
and medium-sized enterprises in the use of intellectual property protection systems, as well as to
improving state and institutional support mechanisms in this area.